Abstract:
Method of performing dual-mode rate control for an access point in a wireless communication system includes a single-user mode of operation and multi-user mode of operation. In the single-user mode, a basic rate for a station is determined based on channel conditions. In the multi-user mode, a rate for a plurality of stations is determined using tracking. The tracking includes performing a sounding for the plurality of stations. An initial multi-user current rate is then set equal to a function of a number of users and the basic rate. A transmission is sent to the plurality of stations using the current rate. A packet error rate (PER) is detected during transmission to the plurality of stations. The current rate is adjusted based on the PER. After rate adjustment, either sounding is triggered or the method returns to sending a transmission using the current rate.
Abstract:
A method of providing rate adaptation in a multi-user wireless communication system including single-user beamforming (SU-BF) and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) is described. In this method, a master rate, which is a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the SU-BF, is determined. An MCS for each transmit mode is derived from the master rate using a rate mapping. Using the results from the mapping, the master rate, instead of the MCS for each transmit mode, is tracked. In one embodiment, a mapping calibration is periodically performed.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and devices are described for establishing a virtual communication link including at least a first and second physical link between two devices. A single virtual packet queue of a device may receive one or more data packets to be transmitted via the virtual communication link. The single virtual packet queue may attach a virtual sequence number to each of the one or more data packets and send the one or more data packets to one or more of the first or the second physical link according to the assigned virtual sequence numbers. The one or more packets may then be communicated via the first and/or second physical links according to link specific sequence numbers, such as medium access control (MAC) sequence numbers, assigned to the one or more data packets by the first and/or second physical links.
Abstract:
Methods, devices, and apparatuses are described for wireless communications using a multidimensional algorithm for roaming. In one aspect, an initial set of candidate access points (APs) is produced by a station using a roaming scan. The initial set may be identified based at least in part on an initial metric (e.g., beacon signal strength). A probe signal may be transmitted by the station to at least one of the candidate APs in the initial set and information may be received in response to the probe signals. The station may then identify a reduced set from the initial set based at least in part on the received information, where the reduced set is used to select a target AP. At least one additional metric may be identified and the probe signal may be configured to obtain information corresponding to the additional metrics. This information may be used by the station to select the candidate APs in the reduced set.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and devices are described for power conservation in a wireless communications system through efficient transmissions and acknowledgements of information between an AP and a station. The time between a determination by a station to enter a power saving mode and entering network sleep mode by the station may be reduced through a transmission, by an AP, of an MPDU to the station successive to an SIFS after transmission of an acknowledgement to the station of a PS-Poll frame from the station. The time to enter a power saving mode by a station may also be reduced through transmission of A-MPDUs in which a last MPDU of the A-MPDU has an indicator bit cleared to indicate no additional data is to be transmitted. An AP may prevent a retransmission of an MPDU to the station in the absence of an acknowledgement from the station, to further enhance efficiency.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed for coordinating operation on multiple frequency bands between two or more multiple concurrent band (MCB) devices. The band switch protocols may include sending information on a second band after a communications link has been established on a first band. The receiving device may treat the transmission of the frame on the new band as a message to switch bands, such that the transmitting and receiving devices may conduct subsequent communications on the new band. Further, the band switch protocols allow for seamless operation over the band switch event. As a result, a frequency band having desired performance characteristics may be selected dynamically.
Abstract:
A method of performing dynamic sounding in a wireless communication device includes determining whether to perform sounding based on an age of current channel state information (CSI). An achievable throughput can be recorded as a reference throughput after performing the sounding. A current achievable throughput can be compared with the reference throughput. A CSI timestamp can be reset when the current throughput is above the reference throughput by a first predetermined amount, thereby prolonging a lifespan of the current CSI. The CSI timestamp can be reduced when the current throughput is below the reference throughput by a second predetermined amount, thereby reducing the lifespan of the current CSI.
Abstract:
In adaptive modulation and coding scheme (MCS) selection for directional antenna systems, at least one table is defined that maps different ranges of signal quality values to different sets of MCS parameters. In some implementations, each range corresponds to a separate table (e.g., a given table will include the MCS and other information for that range of signal quality values). In the event an abrupt change in signal quality is detected (e.g., a change in received signal strength greater than or equal to a defined threshold), instead of using a conventional rate selection algorithm, a new MCS is selected through the use of the ranges from the table(s). In this way, a relatively large change in MCS may be accommodated, if warranted by the change in signal quality.
Abstract:
An access point determines the buffered data for each station of a plurality of stations in a BSS and groups the stations with similar station characteristics. The transmission time to the stations in a group can be apportioned. The groups can be ordered based on station characteristics and a transmission history. A sounding for a group can be performed based on the order. The MU-MIMO transmission for the group can be performed until a first condition is met. If the first condition is met, then the sounding and the MU-MIMO transmission for a next group can be performed, according to the order, until a second condition is met. The first condition can include an apportioned transmission time having expired and/or the buffers for the group being flushed. The second condition can include new data having been buffered by the AP and/or all buffered data having been transmitted.
Abstract:
A method of providing rate adaptation in a multi-user wireless communication system including single-user beamforming (SU-BF) and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) is described. In this method, a master rate, which is a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the SU-BF, is determined. An MCS for each transmit mode is derived from the master rate using a rate mapping. Using the results from the mapping, the master rate, instead of the MCS for each transmit mode, is tracked. In one embodiment, a mapping calibration is periodically performed.